Everyone should have their own set of beauty tools, whether they are a beauty professional or not. With just the right tool, you’ll be able to properly amp up your beauty routine and ensure that you’re really looking your best at all times. Read about what the artistic director of Empire Beauty Schools, Gina Pieper, has to recommend.

When updating your styling tools, what products do you recommend avoiding?
I recommend staying away from nylon bristle round brushes as they can start to melt and bend when they come in contact with heat. Using these types of brushes can cause your hair to tangle during your blowout causing split ends and breakage. Also, I recommend staying away from nonionic blow dryers because they are extremely damaging to your hair. Avoid using a blow dryer that is more than 15 years old as it may even contain asbestos, which was formerly used as a heat resistant material in the power cord.

What kind of technology is used in these news tools and how does that help hair styling?
An ionic blow dryer is faster and leaves your hair shinier and healthier than the traditional blow dryer. It emits millions of charged particles called ions that bond to your hair, breaking down moisture molecules without frying your hair like the old blow dryers do. The Thermoceramic brushes produce more consistent heat for your hair which is less damaging and smoothes the cuticle, minimizing breakage and split ends. The boar bristles on brushes help smooth the hair strands individually for added shine and protection.

What are two must-have hair styling tools that stylists need to have right now?
Right now I love the big and sexy tousled curl trend! Having the newest hot rollers is a must; I recommend The Babyliss Pro Ceramic and Ionic Hair Setter as my choice of tool to accomplish this style. Stick straight hair is becoming a thing of the past, but having the right flat iron to twist some locks into a sassy wave is without a doubt a necessity. I love the Babyliss Diamond Titanium Flat Iron because it leaves the hair soft and shiny.

What are two must-have hair styling tools that consumers need to have right now?
A great “cheater tool” for someone that is not a professional is the InStyler (http://getinstyler.com/). I also recommend having a professional ionic blow dryer at home to avoid damaging your hair everyday.

As a hairstylist, what are the newest hair styling tools that you love?
I just became a big fan of the Denman Thermoceramic Straightening Brush, and Denman Thermoceramic Bristle Radial Brush. I recommend using them with an ionic blow dryer; I use the Babyliss Diamond Titanium.

-Empire Beauty Schools

It never rains in LA (except for around awards time). So when the rain came pouring down on the red carpet on Sunday at the Golden Globes, there were experts on hand to ensure that the Hollywood beauties looked their very best. For Leona Lewis and Emily Blunt, that lifesaver was hair stylist Laini Reeves. With Living Proof No Frizz, both Hollywood starlets stayed frizz-free and glamorous in the pouring rain. Here’s what she did:

For best actress nominee, Emily Blunt – Laini Reeves cut her hair to shoulder length just for the Golden Globes and then created a curl that was blunt and chic, but still a little fun.

HOW TO GET THE LOOK: First, Laini applied the NO FRIZZ, WAVE SHAPING CREAM FOR MEDIUM TO THICK HAIR ($24) to Emily’s wet hair to prevent the hair from frizzing. She then added a bit of the new LIVING PROOF FULL ($24) to add a bit of body to the wave. She started creating the pin curls by taking half inch pieces of hair and wrapping each piece around her fingers and then pinning them to the top of the head. Reeves recommends alternating the twisting monition both clockwise and counter clockwise to add dimension. She then let the hair dry naturally. After the hair was completely dry she used both a medium curling iron, and small barrel curling iron to accentuate the curl. To add a bit of sophistication to the look, she used a flat iron on each curl, straightening the bottom inch of the hair.

For Leona Lewis, artist behind ‘I Want To Come Home’ from Avatar who was nominated for best original song, Laini Reeves created a soft romantic down-do inspired by her glamorous purple dress.

HOW TO GET THE LOOK: Leona has very thick hair, so it actually performs better if it is not freshly washed. Laini used the NO FRIZZ STRAIGHT MAKING SPRAY ($24) on her dry hair, to prevent fly-aways and keep it from frizzing in the rain. She then parted the hair in the middle and used a flat-iron to straighten the hair. To create an asymetical look, she pulled the hair to one side and then used a three inch curling iron to add a bit of bounce to the ends.

Look for Living Proof products at a Sephora store in your area.

The right hairdo is essential to any good holiday party. You may be able to snag a coveted appointment but it may be tough at this time of year. If you can’t get an appointment that works for you or would rather spend money on those holiday gifts, then don’t worry. Hair stylist Sam Brocato has got you covered with a few tips and tricks of the trade.

Salon Straight Talk: How to make the most out of your hair appointment
Need to talk style with your stylist? Bring photographs, tear sheets and all the visuals you can get your hands on when you see your stylist. And, says Sam Brocato, “don’t forget to explain the nature of the events you are planning on attending as well as the clothing you intend to wear.” Guide your stylist to the feel and sensibility of what you are trying to achieve and let them work with you to come up with a style that suits your needs. The end result: a style that won’t need to be restyled.

Pony Up: Insider Tricks of the Trade
Looking for an updo that won’t undo? Sam Brocato says, “Split your hair into three sections down the middle of the back of your head and create loose pony tails. Braid each section and secure with a small elastic. Spray each braid with a light hair spray and push it back gently onto your head. Pin each braid loosely over the other and tuck in at your neck.” The end result: a romantic and modern chignon that can work with jeans or a cocktail dress.

The Pin Up Girl
Need a quick and easy way to take your look from day to night? Here’s Sam’s tip: “using a large bobby pin, slide a section of hair through the pin and rotate it as if it were a roller. Affix this section firmly at the nape of your neck and repeat the steps.” The end result: a sophisticated and romantic look in less than five minutes.

About Sam Brocato
Sam Brocato brings a truly fashionable approach to his work, seeing hair as a fabric from which he cuts patterns to produce haute coiffure and ready-to-wear styles. Sam has shared his vision and immense talent throughout the globe and has been honored as “World Top Fashion Hairstylist,” by the World Hairdressing Congress in London as well as “Editorial Stylist of the Year,” at the North American Hairstyling Awards.

Sam blends Southern hospitality and Soho chic at his latest salon venture. The loft-style industrial space is staffed by artistic individuals who treat each client as if they were a part of the Brocato family. An up and coming New York destination, the salon will raise the bar on shampoo services in the city by offering first class seating as well as custom-blended treatments, showcase local emerging neighborhood art and offer cuts and color from established industry professionals.

What do you get for a beauty professional who seems to have all the right miracle beauty products this holiday season? Check out some of these products below that will kickstart your favorite beauty professional’s new year in just the right way…

Hair Stylist
If smooth, straight hair is what you’re after, then Living proof’s frizz straight making no frizz styling cream is just what you need. Attempting to beat the evil known as humidity, to keep split ends down to a minimum, and help cut down on drying time, this no frizz styling cream is seriously a no-brainer. For the professional and amateur hair stylist alike, you’ll love to have this in your repertoire of secret weapons.

Buy the 4 oz. bottle of frizz straight making no frizz styling cream at Sephora for $24.

Esthetician
Even those with flawless skin can get a blemish on their face from time to time. Don’t let it get you down. That’s what CoverFX’s Camouflage Concealer is for. This concealer really camouflages anything from a pimple to redness to signs of a sleepless night. It’s high-definition ready and helps to even out skin tone. It even comes in six different shades. What more could an esthetician ask for?

Buy the 0.5 oz. bottle of Camouflage Concealer at Sephora for $25.

Nail Technician
We’re always looking for the longest-lasting manicure that will help keep nails at their strongest. Perfect Formula’s Nail Guard System does just that with some gel and crystals. The gel coat, also known as a “Suit of Armor” helps to thicken and strengthen the weakest of nails as a base coat. The crystal nail file helps to shape and seal nails to keep them looking fabulous even longer.

Buy the kit on http://www.perfectformulas.com for $33.50.

Makeup Artist
Most girls long for longer, fuller lashes and that’s usually what mascara is supposed to do for us. CARGO goes one step farther by helping grow your lashes with LashActivator. By using products like Marine Algae extracts, citrus-derived Flavonoids, and Peptide-biotin, LashActivator helps promote better looking lashes with a slow lash loss rate. Perfect for everyday use, you can expect to see a difference within 30 days.

Buy LashActivator at Sephora for $35.

-Amanda Fornecker